Catfish Noodle Instructions…

We used some awesome catfish noodles over the 4th at Kerr Lake. Here’s a picture and I’ll try to describe how they were put together so you can make some for yourself. They work AWESOME!

The noodles basically consisted of a 15-18″ section of swimming pool noodle, a PVC pipe that barely fits through the noodle’s hole (about 6 inches longer than the noodle section), 2 PVC pipe caps, a metal eyelet, 2″ section of metal rod that fits inside PVC pipe, and of course the fishing line, sinker, and business end (circle hook).

After you have jammed the PVC pipe into the noodle, cap off one end and move it until it is flush with one end of the noodle. Insert the chunk of metal rod in the other end and cap that off. Next screw a metal eyelet in the exposed end of the PVC pipe and attach the business end of the fishing noodle. You can wind the line right around the noodle and secure the hook directly into the foam.

You’re probably wondering what the chunk of metal is doing inside the PVC pipe…If you set the baited noodle in the water with weight at the end of the PVC that is flush with the noodle…A strike will jerk the noodle down and send the weight to the other end making a loud noise – basically alerting you to a hooked fish. If the fish comes unhooked or misses the strike, the noodle will remain erect and let you find it to check the bait.

These noodles worked unbelievably well…put to shame previous jugs I had used to catfish in other rivers. The one drawback is that a good sized catfish can keep one of these noodles underwater for quite a long time, so make sure you get a hooked catfish off as soon as possible, especially if you suspect a lunker.

Leave any comments if I wasn’t as clear as I need to be with the instructions.

Oh, forgot to mention, the PVC provides a great surface for writing your name, phone #, and depth of line with a black Sharpie marker.

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Can the noodles be 10 or 12 inches long instead of 15 to 18 inches long? If so, can the exposed part of the pvc pipe be 4″ instead of 6″? Have you ever had any trouble with the 2″ metal in the pvc pipe doing any damanage to the eyelet, when it would shift in the pipe? I presume the eyelet is a “screw-in” type and not one with a nut on it. Roy

cody conway

what aboat the weight a the end of the line so the dont end up across the lake

Zach D

Thats basicly the same set up i have, the only diffrence is, i put reflective tape around the top part so there easier to find at night.

Terry Purvis

I use a 24 inch PVC pipe and cut the noodle at 7 inches. I run the line through the noodle attaching it to the other end. I also put pea gravel in the noodle to give it some resistance to the bite and sets the hook better. I only fill the pipe about 6 to 7 inches. This also helps the noodle “stand up” when the fish get on the hook. Works great. It is the most fun I have ever had with my cloths on!!!

Terry Purvis

Cody: I use a 1/2 to 3/4 ounce weight on the line. You are right the current of the lake or river will keep the line top water if you dont have some weight on the line.

paul

I suggest drilling the end cap and use threaded eyelet. A40 to 50 pounder can play pretty rough until they get tired

mark

Mine are pretty much the same w/ minor differences. I use 24″ pvc and a 12″ noodle. My eyelet on end has a nut to hold it in place w/ silicone applied to help keep water out of pvc. Inside pvc I use 1/2″ rebar cut to 12″ lengths. These work well for me.

Tomslick

Last one to the lake is …………………………..

Travis Austin

You take a noodle and seal one side poke a little hole to run your line through and cap it off wit a quarter ounce sinker works just as good and doesnt take as much time

Price

i use these and they work amazing i will keep making these and they will keep catching me fish just when you buy your noodle don’t get the square one like he has get the circle one it fits on snugger